When Past and Present Collide 3
Bunny looked up at the Borealis in confusion. It was Christmas, why… Ah hell! He rushed for the tunnel that led to the North Pole. He ran at top speed, pushing himself faster than ever before. The lights would only be lit for one of two reasons; either North or Jack was in danger or hurt. Going by trends it was probably Jack. That boy had no clue how to keep his nose out of trouble. His mind raced with numerous scenarios as to what the ice spirit could have done. None of them were good. If North wanted him to take Jack off his hands then he'd do it if only to lecture Jack on pulling pranks on the holidays. He'd lost track of how many times he had to pull that kid's butt out of some situation he'd gotten himself into. He should schedule the holidays as get "Jack out of trouble" days.
He popped out of the ground several yards from Santoff Claussen and raced the rest of the distance over the icy tundra. By the time he reached the doors his paws were already icy cold and in need of warmth. He headed straight to the Globe Room, prepared to give Jack the tongue lashing of a life time. Jack wasn't there, neither was North.
"What the hell?" he snapped, spotting Pitch leaning against the side of the fireplace with a peeved off look. "Where's North and Jack, mate? What's going on here?"
Sandy arrived then and a moment later Tooth fluttered in. "Pitch?" the fairy queen asked in surprise. "Where's North? Is everything okay?"
Sandy asked the same question with his dreamsand.
"Jack's finishing North's route," Pitch answered as he pushed off the fireplace. He glanced at each Guardian before hesitantly telling them what's going on. "North's in the infirmary. He had a heart attack."
Tooth gave a squeal and darted to the infirmary while the other two stared at Pitch in shock and horror.
"That's nice possible," Bunny said in disbelief. "What did you do?"
"Nothing!" Pitch snarled glaring at the Pooka. "He had a heart attack – or have you forgotten your precious North is human. Yes, a powerful wizard but not immortal. The fact that he's over 500 years old is due to a spell and MiM's magic not because he's a spirit like the rest of us. This means he still has human weaknesses, regardless if he wishes to admit to them. What it happened and why now is beyond me."
The Pooka was speechless as he stared wide eyed at the shade, confirming Pitch's belief that the other had forgotten North was human and not truly like them. Pitch sighed and softened his expression. His and Bunny's history was not a good one and although he was trying to make up for his past crimes there were many days they still bumped heads and it would probably continue for the rest of their lives. "You are the Spirit of Easter and new life, I was hoping your magic could tether his life force to him until MiM can heal his heart. I don't know what else to do. My magic will only weaken him more."
Bunny nodded and turned on his heel to go to the infirmary then stopped. "You found him, didn't you?"
"Yes," Pitch confirmed, his gaze on the large Globe of Belief that twinkled brightly with Believers.
"Thank you…for bringing him home," Bunny said before hopping away.
Pith blinked in surprise. Of course he would have brought North here. Where else would he have taken him? The dark palace where MiM could not reach him and let the man die in agony? Maybe…long ago but not anymore. He was not the shade he once was. Sighing in frustration, he followed the oversized rabbit. There were days he honestly wondered about his decision to become a Guardian, yes it ended his loneliness and gained him Believers but he also gained a rather annoying family as well. At least Jack and Sandy weren't so bad.
The infirmary was in a frenzy when they entered. The medic had strapped North to a bunch of machinery that Pitch had seen in a number of hospitals. A heart monitor was buzzing loudly and the medic had shooed everyone away from North as he pushed on the large man's chest. Pitch froze at the sudden onslaught of fear that rushed him like a freight train. Toothiana was crying and Sandy holding her back from North. There were tears in the small man's eyes but he could not pull his eyes away from his friend.
"Oh good MiM, no…" whispered Bunny in horror.
North wasn't moving. The yetis were in a panic and even the elves were silent and for the first time in many eons Pitch felt sorrow. Not even the Moonbeams rushing to North were any help. North's chest ceased rising the fear filling the room turned to horror. It was too much for Pitch. He staggered back but was unable to leave. He would not disrespect the great man and warrior North was.
"Move! Move!" Bunny yelled, pulling his magic from the Earth hidden deep under the ice, drawing it from its very core. He placed his large paws on North's chest and pushed the magic into him. He did it over and over again, North's large body jumping with each shock. Then there was a small inhale of breath, very shallow and barely audible. The Moonbeams fluttering all about North brightened more. Bunny wiped his brow as he looked down at his friend. "I don't know how long this'll last," he warned. "His heart's weak but he's fighting. Maybe, if we could…"
The Moonbeams pulsed even brighter as they touched North, as if trying to wake him.
"Whoa…whoa, I didn't mean that. Wait! Stop!" Bunny jumped back in shock as North's still form began to glow. "MiM, I'm serious, bad idea, mate! Ah crikey! George, grab another gurney. Now!"
The yeti pushed a gurney next to North's bed as everyone else watched in confusion. The Moonbeams were now descending faster as MiM glow grew brighter until North's body was completely consumed. He glowed brighter and brighter until he appeared to be nothing but light.
Pitch winced, shielding his eyes. He heard Tooth gasp in shock and Bunny curse and regardless of the painful light he had to see. It took several long seconds for his eyes to adjust enough to make out what he was seeing but there appeared to be a new body laying on the second gurney. Everyone took a step back in shock as it took form. Pitch stared in shock. No…it wasn't possible. MiM couldn't have done this. Bunny's power should have been enough to save North without resorting to this.
"Oh MiM," whispered Tooth, her dainty hands against her mouth as tears streamed down her cheeks. Sandy looked on in confusion and each yetis and elves were gaping at the new being.
The large infirmary double doors slammed open causing everyone to jump in surprise as Jack Frost rushed in. "Where is he?" yelled the youthful winter spirit, startling everyone.
Pitch looked toward the child in sudden fear and felt the Fearlings snap at the back of his mind. Jack's gaze followed Pitch's to the man – of rather men – on the gurneys. He inhaled sharply. MiM had separated North's spirit from his body and given it form. Now not only did North lay unconscious but also a much younger version of him and no one knew what to expect.